Hajiji: GRS will resolve ‘wisely’ GE15 seat allocation between Umno and Bersatu

KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will "wisely" resolve any frictions between Umno and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia over issues of seat sharing for the next general election, says its chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

He said the state coalition, which includes Umno and Bersatu, has collectively agreed to complete the five-year mandate given by the people in last year's snap Sept 26 Sabah state election, after it toppled the Warisan Plus led state government.

He said the political landscape in Sabah is unique and maintained that the GRS parties were united.

All parties in GRS have collectively agreed to complete its five-year term as state government, said Hajiji, who is Chief Minister.

However, he acknowledged that the statement by Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin declaring his party’s readiness to face Bersatu in the next general election was in response to Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement on Saturday.

Hajiji, who is also Sabah Bersatu chief, said Muhyiddin’s statement was based on the statement by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that Umno would defend and not compromise on the parliamentary and state seats won by the party in the last general election.

“But in Sabah’s political context, it is very unique here. It is a different situation (compared to Peninsular Malaysia).

“For us here in Sabah, we will discuss with all component parties in GRS wisely and arrive at the best possible solution in facing the next general election,” he said.

Hajiji said that even Muhyiddin acknowledged the uniqueness of Sabah’s political landscape and had said he would leave the matter to the GRS to discuss.

“What is important is from the beginning, we have said we will work together and cooperate as well as to honour the mandate given to us by the people to rule.

“There is so much work for us to do, to implement our development agenda including to manage the Covid-19 pandemic and at the same time pursue economic recovery.

“Put politicking aside and let us focus,” he said in response to Bung's statement that Umno would be contesting in all the seats they have won including those lost through defections to Bersatu.

GRS comprises Perikatan Nasional (Bersatu, STAR, SAPP, PAS and Gerakan) Barisan Nasional (Umno, MCA, MIC, PBRS) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).